"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." (Genesis 3:8-10)
What's wrong with you? How many times have we heard that familiar question growing up? How many times have you heard it as an adult? This is the question often asked by the second member of the "unholy trinity." Shame manifests itself by declaring there is something wrong with you. The "wrong" may be a physical difference like skin color, some physical disability or anything that society labels as outside of the "norm." Growing up we may have experienced an adult or some authority figure pointing a finger at us for a poor choice that had been made or unkind words that may have been spoken declaring, "Shame on you!" It's not too far from the truth in those instances that shame is figuratively speaking all over us! Shame enjoys adding to the menu at the party that fear has already initiated. If fear is offering up the cake, shame is the icing on top. The two of them work hand in hand to point out how inadequate we are as well as the rejection that we are going to experience because we are "different."
GOD DELIGHTS IN OUR DIFFERENCES
After the Fall, Adam and Eve experienced shame in being exposed by virtue of their nakedness, "I was afraid because I was naked..." (Genesis 3:10) They noticed something was wrong with them. They noticed their differences. However, like fear, God's word has an answer to shame's taunting. The Bible tells us that God delights in His creation and that includes us. A psalm attributed to King David declares, "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14) Furthermore, Genesis tells us that God created us, both men and women in His image. (Genesis 1:26) Why would the God of the universe place His image on something shameful? Jesus often ministered to many individuals who were considered shameful for their conditions or poor choices. (Mark 5:25-34; Luke 17:11-19; John 7:53-8:11) Moreover, God gave up His only Son to remove any sense of shame we may carry. The author of Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, "For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)
TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Shame like its buddy fear, is constantly wooing us to come join the party, constantly trying to convince us that we will be better off tasting their delicacies. As mentioned in part 1 of this series, the warning is "Don't listen and don't go to the party!" Take hold of God's word which Paul declares in Ephesians 6:17 is the "sword of the Spirit." The Bible is God's weapon to help us combat fear, shame, and the third member of the "unholy trinity"(guilt) that we will read about in part 3. Be encouraged as the psalmist declares, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me." (Psalm 28:7a)
Be blessed,
Pastor Sheree
"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." (Genesis 3:8-10)
Over the next three months I will be sharing a foundational key as to what underlies all of the emotional challenges which we may face. It's what I call the "unholy trinity," which are fear, shame, and guilt. After the Fall, these three emotions emerged as the core of every struggle humanity faces and will face until Christ returns. Every challenge we encounter either has one or more of these characters at the center of it all. I like to visualize the unholy trinity as throwing an ongoing party to which we have a never ending invitation. Our first character, fear, often manifests in feelings of anxiety and insecurity. Many of the clients I see in my practice often express feelings of anxiety. Fear was the first thing that Adam expressed after God called to him in the garden, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid....(Genesis 3:10) When we accept the party invitation from fear, we are hindered from moving forward with what God has called and gifted us to do.
Fear Is Always Inviting Us To The Party
Fear is always holding out our favorite food and whispering in our ear, "You don't want to do that, you may fail" or "what happens if..." or "what's that person going to think if you say or do that?" "Come join the party and eat your fill of fear!" My word of encouragement when clients are expressing these fears is, "Don't listen and don't go to the party!" The words, "Do not be afraid" are expressed in both the Old and New Testaments. Some scholars have estimated the phrase occurs over 365 times, which shows how much emphasis God places on the significance of those words. For example, the Lord said to Joshua before he was to lead the people into the Promised Land, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."(Joshua 1:9) Joshua had a monumental task ahead of him but God promises that He would be with Joshua. Jesus also comforted His disciples after He informed them that He would be leaving them, but that He would send the Holy Spirit to be their strength in Jesus' absence, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
God's Word Is Our Weapon Against Fear
God knew after the Fall fear would try its best to hinder us from following Him. Therefore, God encourages us through His word to trust Him, to listen to His voice and don't go to the party! There are times when fear is healthy and serves as an ally versus an adversary. For example, in situations when our safety is threatened, fear triggers within us the need to flee in the opposite direction. However, in circumstances where self doubt and insecurity arise, God is our strength, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) Moreover, like Joshua, we have the promise that God will always be with us, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5b-6) So in those moments when fear holds out that party invitation, we can counter with a better invitation. The invitation of God's word, which grounds us and strengthens us through His promises.
Thanks be to God!
Pastor Sheree
The hymn "Silent Night" is a popular favorite among the traditional Christmas songs. It conveys a sense of a peaceful and calm environment during the time of Jesus' birth. However, few people realize that when Mary and Joseph arrived, Bethlehem was a hub of activity. Many others had arrived before them to fulfill the decree issued that required taxes to be paid in Caesar's census. (Luke 2:1-3) The population of Bethlehem swelled with visitors. Beggars cried out in the streets seeking alms. The moneychangers were furiously converting money to the coins of the day. (i.e. shekels, denarius) The marketplace was bustling with activity as bakers sold fresh baked bread and sellers of brass peddled their wares. Regardless of the many goods up for sale, visitors needed to be mindful to save enough money to pay the tax collectors. Yet, despite all the chaos in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were able to focus in on one special moment, the birth of Jesus. Even after the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in Bethlehem and no doubt shared with them the angelic announcement they had experienced, we are told "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)
One Special Gift
The activity in Bethlehem is not unlike our experiences during the Christmas season. There are very few other times during the year when marketplace activity is at a fever pitch. While some are trying to seek the peace and joy associated with Christmas, that which they seek is often overshadowed with the frenetic hustle and bustle of shoppers exchanging money both paper and plastic to get that "perfect gift." Shoppers also need to be mindful of their overspending lest they fall short of paying that credit card bill when it comes due. As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, the challenge is even greater to find one special moment to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and like Mary, ponder all these things in our hearts. Let us take to heart Jesus words from the gospel of Matthew, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) May we all take the time this Christmas to stop and focus our hearts and minds on the only gift that really makes a difference in our lives not just on one day but throughout the whole year. Moreover, let us remember it is a gift that comes from the hands of Almighty God and it is one that will never wear out, perish, or fade because it is eternal.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Pastor Sheree
